Secondary Teaching Resources

Bring Surf Lifesaving into your classroom using our free tools and resources for secondary teachers.

Secondary School Years (12-18 years)

In secondary years we start to see children become young adults as they begin to take on more responsibility and start to think outside of their own environment. At this stage, individuals will start to question themselves, their community, their purpose and the world around them and will seek opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone and explore the wider world, testing boundaries as they go. Young people will be looking to find a greater sense of purpose and place in the world. This is a time in which connection, inclusion and community play a vital role in supporting a young individuals overall wellbeing, health and safety.
The beach environment is one that we often see explored and engaged with as young peer groups look for a sense of freedom and excitement. The beach can be a very supportive and nurturing environment to a young persons' wellbeing and sense of connection to the environment and people around them. Unfortunately, we often also see young people engaging in highly risky activities while on the coast and there may be many reasons for this. Surf Life Saving provides a prime base from which to build a young person's sense of self and empower them to make healthy, safe and positive choices.

Making Safe Choices

  • What skills and strategies can be used to manage challenging situations and seek help?
  • What positive actions contribute to my own safety and the safety of those around me?
  • Why are connection, inclusion and empowerment important for the health, safety and wellbeing of my own and the wider community?
  • How do the attitudes and behaviours of my friends impact the safety and wellbeing of myself and my peer group?
  • How does the use of alcohol and drugs impact my ability to keep myself and others safe?
  • Why do young people choose to engage in positive and negative risk taking behaviour?
  • How can I recognise potentially unsafe environments and situations and what strategies can I use to promote my own and others safety in a variety of real life situations?

Secondary Unit Outlines

Our team of educators and teachers have created curriculum aligned unit resources for Stage 4 to Stage 6 to assist teachers integrate beach and coastal safety activities into your lesson plans in an easy and simple way. These units are complemented by our secondary virtual and incursion programs. Each lesson plan is stage based and supported by activity sheets and resources.

Surf Life Saving is much more than just saving lives on the beach

The beach and inland waterways have many stories to tell. Through our education programs, we are bringing the beach to your class through the story of both the coastline and inland waterways water safety journey. Each program has been designed to be delivered solely in Key Learning Areas or as a Cross-Curriculum learning experience. These units focus on delivering the key water safety message that the beach is a place for everyone to safely experience the beach, coastline and inland waterways. They also give students an opportunity to further develop their literacy skills, address the Cross-Curriculum Priorities of the NSW Curriculum and give to students authentic learning by creating meaningful projects through inquiry-based tasks.
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A key priority for us is reaching out to all Australians through our substantial community education programs. We aim to teach all Australians how to keep themselves and their families safe at the beach.

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high school students in class

View resources by stages

Stage 4 Teaching Resources

Curriculum aligned Stage 4 units including lesson plans and supporting resources for secondary teachers.

Stage 5 Teaching Resources

Curriculum based Stage 5 resources includes a 3-4 week, staged based lesson plan and activities for teachers to download.

Stage 6 Teaching Resources

Curriculum aligned Stage 6 resources include a teacher guide, worksheets, outcomes and assessments and supporting resources.

View resources by subject

English Teaching Resources

These units explore how students use their story to arm themselves with strategies to have hard conversations with peers and family and make well informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing around water. Includes lesson plans and resources.

PDHPE Teaching Resources

In these units and associated resources students will focus on how they can effectively manage and support others health, welling and participation in physical activities. Includes lesson plans and resources related to having a safe experience at the beach.

HSIE (Geography) Teaching Resources

These units and associated resources focus on delivering the key water safety message that the beach is a place for everyone to safely experience the beach, coastline and inland waterways. Includes lesson plans and resources.

Visual Arts Teaching Resources Stage 4

In this unit students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills to make artworks informed by their understanding of practice, the conceptual framework and the frames. Includes an artmaking lesson inspired by the coast and related resources.

Meet our Educators

Meet Jen – SLSNSW Educator

Jen is a NSW Secondary Educator teaching 7-10 science as well as senior Biology, Chemistry and Science Extension.

Meet Kayla – SLSNSW Educator

Kayla is a NSW Secondary Educator specialising in Junior Science and Senior Biology

Meet Claudine

Claudine is an experienced teacher and has the ability to think outside of the box and bring innovative thinking to the education space.

Check out more learning resources for teachers

NSW Teachers School Newsletter

On Patrol Newsletter with the Surf Life Saving NSW Community Education team! Bringing you all the latest beach & coastal education related news, programs and resources for NSW teachers and schools.

Secondary Teaching Resources

Bring Surf Lifesaving into your classroom using our free tools and resources created for NSW secondary school teachers.

English Teaching Resources

These units explore how students use their story to arm themselves with strategies to have hard conversations with peers and family and make well informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing around water. Includes lesson plans and resources.

English Teaching Resources – Stage 4

This unit and associated resources focus on delivering the key water safety message that the beach is a place for everyone to safely experience the beach, coastline and inland waterways. Includes a 3-4 week lesson plan and resources.

English Teaching Resources – Stage 5

This unit explores how students use their story to arm themselves with strategies to have hard conversations with peers and family and make well informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing around water. Includes a 3-4 week lesson plan and resources.

PDHPE Teaching Resources

In these units and associated resources students will focus on how they can effectively manage and support others health, welling and participation in physical activities. Includes lesson plans and resources related to having a safe experience at the beach.

PDHPE Teaching Resources – Stage 4

In this unit and associated resources students will focus on how they can effectively manage and support others health, welling and participation in physical activities. Includes lesson plans and resources related to having a safe experience at the beach.

PDHPE Teaching Resources – Stage 5

This unit explores how students use their story to arm themselves with strategies to have hard conversations with peers and family and make well informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing around water. Includes a 3-4 week lesson plan and resources.

Visual Arts Teaching Resources Stage 4

In this unit students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills to make artworks informed by their understanding of practice, the conceptual framework and the frames. Includes an artmaking lesson inspired by the coast and related resources.

HSIE (Geography) Teaching Resources

These units and associated resources focus on delivering the key water safety message that the beach is a place for everyone to safely experience the beach, coastline and inland waterways. Includes lesson plans and resources.

HSIE Teaching Resources – Stage 4

This unit explores how students use their story to arm themselves with strategies to have hard conversations with peers and family and make well informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing around water. Includes lesson plans and resources.

HSIE Teaching Resources – Stage 5

This unit and associated resources focus on delivering the key water safety message that the beach is a place for everyone to safely experience the beach, coastline and inland waterways. Includes lesson plans and resources.

Biology Teaching Resources

Secondary teacher resource focusing on Biological Diversity & Ecosystems content and outcomes for Year 11.

Biological Diversity Teaching Resources – Stage 6

Aquatic ecosystems depth study and resources focusing on aquatic contexts. Embedded with Surf Life Saving NSW education values to promote water-safety and drowning-prevention. Includes lesson plan and resources.

Biological Ecosystems Teaching Resources – Stage 6

Intertidal shelf ecosystems lesson plan and resources. Embedded with Surf Life Saving NSW education values to promote water-safety and drowning-prevention. Includes lesson plan and resources.